| What is the common thread between glaucoma, | | | | the lens of the eye. Aging, females, sunlight |
| macular degeneration, cataracts and diabetic | | | | exposure, myopia (near-sightedness) are all |
| retinopathy? These all have in common the eye, | | | | included as risk factors. Also included in greater |
| but more importantly, more than any other | | | | risk of cataracts are smokers and those with |
| generation, they all attack senior citizens. In other | | | | brown eyes. The list of greater risk does not end |
| words, they affect the aging eye. | | | | there as steroid users, those with trauma to the |
| Aging is the common factor of all four of these | | | | eye, and diabetics are at greater risk for |
| conditions. Considered an 'end stage' illness, | | | | developing cataracts. |
| Glaucoma occurs when other factors are present | | | | Nutrition may, as always, play a large role in |
| and when combined. It is characterized by high | | | | maintaining eye health. Vitamin C, Vitamin E, |
| pressure in the eye, which may cause serious | | | | Pro-Vitamin A (beta-carotene) Carotenoids (Lutein |
| damage to the optic nerve and could result in | | | | and Zeaxanthin), have been proven to provide |
| blindness, if untreated. High intraocular (eye) | | | | antioxidant protection to the human body and as |
| pressure, family history, race, cupping of the optic | | | | such, they may provide anti-aging defenses for |
| nerve, central cornea thickness less than 0.5mm, | | | | the eye as well. We seniors are well-advised to |
| and aging are all risk factors. | | | | gather as much research-based information as |
| With anyone who has diabetes, Diabetic | | | | possible, especially for those of us at high risk for |
| Retinopathy may occur. The blood vessels that | | | | chronic, age-related eye disease. The combination |
| feed the retina are damaged as a result of this | | | | of traditional medical science and treatment with |
| condition. Vision may be impaired; ultimately | | | | appropriately prescribed medications, |
| blindness may result if the diabetes is not | | | | newly-discovered alternative medical resources |
| managed appropriately. Poor control of blood | | | | and effective nutritional supplements may provide |
| sugar, high blood pressure, race, high cholesterol, | | | | the protection from blindness that we all desire. |
| pregnancy, smoking and age are all risk factors. | | | | Keywords to use in your browser search window |
| Ultimately, the greater is the risk of developing | | | | include all four diseases followed by |
| diabetic retinopathy the longer one has diabetes. | | | | - risk factors |
| As the macula (the central part of the retina that | | | | - diagnosis |
| allows us to see fine details) is progressively | | | | - treatment |
| damaged, Macular Degeneration occurs. Aging, | | | | - nutrition |
| smoking and family history are all included as risk | | | | There is a reassuring abundance of information |
| factors. With the elderly, 30% over 75 can | | | | available on the Internet to help us get a handle |
| expect to suffer from macular degeneration. | | | | on these aging eye related diseases. |
| Cataracts are defined as cloudiness or opacity in | | | | |